All You Need to Know AboutStand Mixers

What are stand mixers?

Mixers are gear-driven kitchen equipment with a set of beaters used for beating, stirring or whisking food in a bowl. There are electric hand mixers with motorized beaters and there are stand mixers, which are typically larger than their handheld counterparts, and have motors more powerful than those of hand mixers, and a base to mount and lock the mixing bowl in place when the machine is running.

The best stand mixers designed for home use are fit for countertops and can work food up to 4 quarts while those made for commercial use are usually mounted on the floor and can work as much as 100 quarts.

Product Name

Rating

Capacity

Wattage

Speeds

Pouring Shield Included

Cookie Dough Test

Product Name
: KitchenAid Artisan

Rating
:

Capacity
: 5qt

Wattage
: 550

Speeds
: 12

Pouring Shield Included
:

Cookie Dough Test: Passed

Product Name
: Cuisinart SM-55

Rating
:

Capacity
: 5.5qt

Wattage
: 800

Speeds
: 12

Cookie Dough Test: Passed

Product Name
: Breville BEM800XL

Rating
:

Capacity
: 5qt

Wattage
: 550

Speeds
: 12

Pouring Shield Included
:

Cookie Dough Test: Passed

Product Name
: KitchenAid Classic

Rating
:

Capacity
: 4.5qt

Wattage
: 250

Speeds
: 10

Cookie Dough Test: Passed

Product Name
: Hamilton Beach 63325

Rating
:

Capacity
: 3.5qt

Wattage
: 300

Speeds
: 6

Cookie Dough Test: Passed

There are also many advantages. For one, since the bowl is mounted on a stable base, you won’t need to hold it while mixing. You can leave the machine running and do or attend to something else while the mixer does the whipping, beating or stirring. Also, with a bigger bowl, there’d be less batter splashing out of it, so you get to make efficient use not just of your time but also of your ingredients. Moreover, with a heavy-duty motor, a stand mixer can mix thick batter a lot faster than a hand mixer can. Stand mixers may also come with useful features such as adjustable settings and automatic timers, among others.

Moreover, with a heavy-duty motor, a stand mixer can mix thick batter a lot faster than a hand mixer can. In this article, you’ll find stand mixer reviews. We’ll take a look at the best useful features such as adjustable settings and automatic timers, among others.

But there are also disadvantages, some of which include the huge amount of cleaning required and the space needed for it since they’re normally heavy and bulky. They also generally cost higher than hand mixers do. So, if you want something that’s easy to clean, doesn’t take up too much space, are less expensive, and can be set up easily for quick mixing tasks, then a hand mixer may be an option for you.

Of course, you can always mix by hand. And there are tasks such as whisking lightly beaten eggs, folding an ingredient into a batter, and melting something over heat while frequently stirring it, which are better done when you mix by hand. So, depending on your need and preference, you may opt to mix by hand, use an electric hand mixer, or go for a stand mixer. We recommend you check out our stand mixer recipes for suggestions on all the things you can make.

What do you need toknow about them?

If you have a stand mixer in your kitchen, then you need to know about these things because as with any other machine, there’s a proper way of using it so you can maximize its benefits, keep it in good working condition, and avoid wasting your batter or mixture.

Height is crucial

We’re talking about the paddle here. It should sit high enough not to scratch the bottom but should be low enough to mix the dough or batter evenly. If you want quality for your mixture and durability for your machine, you simply need to get the height right and keep the paddle properly aligned to your bowl.

Hinges and screws can loosen with use

With some parts turning and rotating while the machine is running, you’ll need to make sure the hinges and screws are securely and tight fastened to keep them from shifting and popping out, and the head and body from wiggling and wobbling.

Scraper blades help a lot

Scraper blades with silicon edges works like a rubber spatula so you won’t need to turn the machine off and do the scraping yourself. Some stand mixers only come with metal beaters and in which case you may opt to buy a silicon scraper for your use. You may also wash them is dishwashing machines and not worry about them losing their finish.

Kitchen towels are a friend

To help keep your counter clean and reduce the mess your mixer might create the moment the blade hits a huge pile of dough, try draping a kitchen towel over the mixer before turning the machine on. This will help keep your ingredients from flying off your bowl and landing somewhere else.

Keep’em in the bowl

To be sure you don’t misplace the attachments, just keep them in the bowl after cleaning and drying them up. This way, you can easily find them whenever you need to use the mixer and also keep them from damages. Simply put aside the extra attachments when you need to use the bowl and mixer then just put them back them in when you’re done. Lay a towel over the bowl so the attachments won’t scratch the inside.

Have some extras

Washing and drying your stand mixer’s bowl and attachments after using them for a batch of dough and before you can use them for another batch can take a lot of time. So if you do high-volume whipping, beating and stirring with your mixer, and you have extra space for it, it’s advisable that you get some extra attachments and bowls in order to save some valuable time and energy.

What to ask yourself before buying astand mixer?

As mentioned earlier, stand mixers are quite expensive. So, before you buy and invest in one either for personal or commercial purposes, it would help to ask yourself these questions and then make a decision based on your responses.

Do I need one?

This is a crucial question to ask yourself. It would be a waste of money to buy one when you don’t have a need for it or if it’s too much for your actual need. Most baking tasks can be done efficiently with a good quality hand mixer so unless you’ll be doing more than what your hands and a hand mixer can handle, a stand mixer may not be what you need. It would be best to assess your need first and see which equipment would be appropriate and adequate for the task at hand.

How often will I be using it?

Stand mixers are a bit pricey and take up a lot of space, so if you’d be rarely using it, like once a month, then it’s probably not best to get one at least until you plan and need to use it more frequently and for heavier volumes of baking. Check your baking habits and cooking needs on a daily, weekly and monthly basis and see if it’d be more efficient for you to get one or if a simple hand mixer would do.

Do I have enough space for it?

As earlier said, they are quite heavy and bulky. You’ll need at least a square foot of space for a countertop stand mixer model and probably a bigger space for a floor-mounted model. If you don’t have enough storage space for it, you’ll have a hard time moving it around the kitchen and finding a safe place to keep it when you’re not using it. For those looking to save on space you may want ti consider the KitchenAid Mini.

For what purposes will I be using it?

The purpose for which you’ll be using a stand mixer is another important thing to consider, Some of the best stand mixer brands and models are suitable for baking only while others that are perfect for making pasta. Making sausages and grinding meat can also be made easier with the right brand. You’ll be able to determine which type, model or brand is best for you if you know exactly what you’ll use it for.

How much is my budget?

How much you’re willing to spend should also matter greatly. If you have the need and budget for an expensive and high-powered model, then it would most likely be a good investment. Nonetheless, you’d still find some good quality stand mixers at budget-friendly prices. Keep in mind though that budget shouldn’t be the only factor that you should take into consideration. Otherwise, you might overspend for something you don’t need or cheap out on something that you won’t be able to use.

What kitchen tools and equipment can youreplace with a stand mixer?

Stand mixers are multifunctional, which makes it a great equipment for the health-conscious, and do-it-yourselfer.

With it, you can pretty much do away with some kitchen tools and equipment. For example, you won’t have to use a knife, a cutting board and a grater to slice or shred your veggies. Just drop them into the slicer, and you’ll have evenly cut carrots, and nicely shredded cheese in almost no time.

You also won’t be needing whisks, wooden spoons, rolling pins and pasta wheels as you can use it as a wire whip, a beater, a dough hook, and a pasta maker, roller or cutter. Bake breads, cakes and cookies without cluttering your counter with too many utensils and tools.

Making your favorite fruit juices for breakfast and ice cream for dessert would be a breeze since you can use it as a juicer, and ice cream maker. With it, you can also grind meat, stuff sausages and even mill your flour for your bread.